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What Should I Wear to Work Today? 5 Questions to ask Yourself

Whether you read it in your office handbook or in a how to guide in a magazine, ‘what to wear to work’ rules are everywhere, and are usually focused on the industry you work in. Naturally, depending on what you do, what is #OfficeApropos in one work place might be totally inappropriate somewhere else. Obvious right?

But what if you’re an accountant going to an office picnic? Or a start up founder meeting with an investor? Yes the rules are different depending on the job, but also within the job depending on the day. I work in a creative space where on most days comfort reigns supreme 9and I wear my oldest clothes when DIYing!), but I also work with a lot of corporate clients. Naturally when I see them I want to be perceived as reliable and professional, and it’s at those times my wardrobe should reflect this.

To celebrate the launch of Grana’s new Linen and Poplin shirts, both made of gorgeous fabrics are are the perfect staple pieces for dressing up or down depending in your job or the day, we’ve put together 5 questions you can ask yourself when you get dressed to help you get it right every time.

Oh and btw, Grana have been kind enough to offer 10% off to all you lovely readers, just use the code ‘APASxGRANA’ when checking out.

Most work places fit into the following 3 categories. Creative, Business Casual or Corporate. This will set a framework for the everyday.

Question 2. What do you have on today?

Just at your desk chipping away? Or going to a function or after work drinks? All of these things need to be considered before deciding what you wear. My rule is to dress for your most formal of activities – it’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed! When in doubt I like to start with a white shirt, like Grana’s Linen or Poplin versions, and either dress it down with black jeans and flats, or dress it up with a pencil skirt and heels. Other times I just wear it with denim shorts 😉

Question 3. Who are you meeting?

Dressing for work is all about making the person you are with feel comfortable and confident in your abilities (and think your amazing and hire/invest/buy what you’re selling). One idea is to mirror the level to which you think they’ll be dressing whilst also adding a bit of your own flair.

Question 4. Am I dressing for the job I want, or the one I have?

Actively looking move on up in that office, or snag that client? A good idea is to put your head in that space and dress as though you’re already there. Even when I was grabbing coffees in my first town planning job I tried to dress like my boss (at least, that one woman who dressed well) – call it an addiction to lunch time shopping but either way I’m pretty sure it helped instil confidence in my superiors. Even if you hate your job, it pays to dress up – you never know who you might who may want to offer you another one!

Question 5. Might I have to be boss lady today?(!)

Ok so maybe you’re not the head of the company yet, but you never know when might be thrust into a more senior position. This doesn’t mean you have to be dressed to the nines everyday hoping it will happen, but putting a little thought into what you wear so you come across as responsible and able to represent your company well is important. It goes a long way to your boss feeling able to give you more responsibility/money/better work.

Heels or flats? Life’s daily conundrum. Although it might sound stepford-wifey, to my mind there’s nothing like a pair of great heals to give you a confidence boost for an important meeting or presentation. Naturally you’ll have a pair of flats in your bag. 😉

Bare legs? Bare legs are pretty standard in most offices, but don’t jump the gun. Have you seen someone more senior that you with bare legs? In that case go for it. Closed toe shoes make bare legs more acceptable for some reason too.

Jeans? In the corporate and business casual environment probably not, unless it’s Friday and denim is allowed. In this case pair with ballet flats and a blazer to keep the look professional.

Whatever you decide it’s important to keep a bit of who you are and show your personality through what you are wearing. Add something that makes the look feel like you no matter what level of work wear you are going for that day. And finally, have a pair of pumps under your desk and a go-to jacket or shirt you can throw on as well as a spare pair of tights in your draw. Life savers.

Let us know your thoughts!

i’m currently a student so don’t need too much thought to go into what i’m wearing but i really love these looks! they’re so elegant and classy but you’ve also managed to make them fun (eg. leopard print shoes). i also love the army green skirt and boyfriend shirt – gorgeous!

I add: how’s the weather going to be?? I have to admit that the weather is no1 on my list when choosing an outfit. My workspace is very relaxed and I can virtually wear anything but I refrain from short shorts, mini skirts and low cleavage!

Genevieve Daily

Hahahaha the Apple mouse on the shirt in the last flat lay is classic!

Genevieve Daily

Hahahahaha the Apple mouse on the shirt in the last flat lay is classic!

Thank you so much for this guide 🙂
It’s super helpful, especially as someone who’s barely started in the corporate world!
It’s actually super hard to always dress professionally but not let your own flair get lost under all of that, but I’m definitely trying <3

This post was so useful! I’m in the process of transitioning from a more casual to a business environment and have been trying to figure out what to wear. I’m definitely going to be coming back to this post often as I shop for clothes.

Oh i love the concept of dressing for your most formal occasion! And also, dressing to be who you aspire to be! 🙂 If you’re not there yet, dress the part long enough and believe in yourself, one day you’ll find yourself THERE! 🙂

Love all your outfits! Chic and classic without feeling to stuffy during the day! I absolutely wish I could wear heels but I always get concious and its not practical when your trying to run for a bus! – x

Love this! A good white shirt really is everything, my work is quite relaxed about what we wear as I work as a graphic designer in an agency, but I still like to feel I dress with a bit of professionalism!

I work at the finance department of a big bank – I guess the etiquette can’t be any more formal. But since I’m one of the youngest employees I take that as an excuse to play a bit with fashion. Leopard pumps here, a nice sweater there and in general I incorporate way more colors than black, white and navy. Your guide is really a great help, it asks the right questions – especially question 4 is essential.

I’m really pleased the Grana Shirts seem to be see-through-proof, which is my biggest issue with white shirts. What a great surprise – now I only have to find out if they have a slightly more fitted cut too, and how insanely high shipping / returning costs to Austria in Europe are.

My first question when thinking about what to wear is always: 1. Weather, 2. after-work-activities, 3. how do I feel today, or want to be perceived as.

franny

everyday i ask myself “what do i wear today aghhh”

franny

everyday i ask myself this aghghghhhh!
one way to help me through it is to go to pinterest ro bloglovin to help me through it. I think i need a support group to

I love these questions. Looking great is easy if you have the right clothes in the closet with amazing fit and style. BUT it’s all about knowing how to put it together, this really helps! I’ll be sharing with my clients 🙂